Air intake assembly

ABSTRACT

A vapor generator assembly for an e-vaping device may include a reservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizer assembly configured to heat pre-vapor formulation drawn from the reservoir to form a vapor, and an air intake assembly configured to direct ambient air into the vaporizer assembly. The air intake assembly may at least partially define an air inlet that extends at least partially around an outer surface of the vapor generator assembly. The air inlet may be an arcuate air inlet or an annular air inlet. The air intake assembly may at least partially define an inlet channel extending from the air inlet into an interior of the vapor generator assembly to at least partially establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizer assembly. The inlet channel may extend coaxially in relation to a longitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/196,866, filed Nov. 20, 2018, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

Example embodiments relate to electronic vaping devices, e-vapingdevices, or the like.

Description of Related Art

E-vaping devices, also referred to herein as electronic vaping devices(EVDs) may be used by adult vapers for fluid portable vaping. Ane-vaping device may include a reservoir that holds pre-vapor formulationand a vaporizer assembly that may heat pre-vapor formulation drawn fromthe reservoir to generate a vapor.

SUMMARY

According to some example embodiments, a vapor generator assembly for ane-vaping device may include a reservoir configured to hold a pre-vaporformulation, a vaporizer assembly configured to heat pre-vaporformulation drawn from the reservoir to form a vapor, and an air intakeassembly configured to direct ambient air into the vaporizer assembly.The air intake assembly may at least partially define an arcuate airinlet that extends at least partially around an outer surface of thevapor generator assembly. The air intake assembly may at least partiallydefine an inlet channel extending from the arcuate air inlet into aninterior of the vapor generator assembly to at least partially establishfluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizerassembly, the inlet channel extending coaxially in relation to alongitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly.

The arcuate air inlet may be at least partially defined by an arcuategap between the air intake assembly and an outer housing of the vaporgenerator assembly.

The vapor generator assembly may further include an airflow conduitextending between the inlet channel of the air intake assembly and thevaporizer assembly, such that the inlet channel is configured toestablish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and thevaporizer assembly via the airflow conduit. The vapor generator assemblymay further include a flow control structure including a plurality oforifices having different sizes. The flow control structure may beconfigured to adjustably align a selected orifice of the plurality oforifices with the airflow conduit to adjustably control across-sectional flow area associated with the airflow conduit.

The flow control structure may include an adjustment ring structureconfigured to be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the vaporgenerator assembly to adjustably align the selected orifice with theairflow conduit.

The air intake assembly may include the flow control structure.

The arcuate air inlet may be an annular air inlet that extends around anentirety of the outer surface of the vapor generator assembly.

The inlet channel may be an annular channel.

According to some example embodiments, a vapor generator assembly for ane-vaping device may include a reservoir configured to hold a pre-vaporformulation, a vaporizer assembly configured to heat pre-vaporformulation drawn from the reservoir to form a vapor, and an air intakeassembly configured to direct ambient air into the vaporizer assembly.The air intake assembly may at least partially define an annular airinlet that extends around an entirety of an outer surface of the vaporgenerator assembly. The air intake assembly may at least partiallydefine an inlet channel extending from the annular air inlet into aninterior of the vapor generator assembly to at least partially establishfluid communication between the annular air inlet and the vaporizerassembly.

The annular air inlet may be at least partially defined by an annulargap between the air intake assembly and an outer housing of the vaporgenerator assembly.

The vapor generator assembly may include an airflow conduit extendingbetween the inlet channel of the air intake assembly and the vaporizerassembly, such that the inlet channel is configured to establish fluidcommunication between the annular air inlet and the vaporizer assemblyvia the airflow conduit. The vapor generator assembly may include a flowcontrol structure including a plurality of orifices having differentsizes. The flow control structure may be configured to adjustably aligna selected orifice of the plurality of orifices with the airflow conduitto adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with theairflow conduit.

The flow control structure may be an adjustment ring configured to berotated around a longitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly toadjustably align the selected orifice with the airflow conduit.

The air intake assembly may include the flow control structure.

The inlet channel may extend coaxially in relation to a longitudinalaxis of the vapor generator assembly.

According to some example embodiments, an e-vaping device may include areservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizerassembly configured to heat pre-vapor formulation drawn from thereservoir to form a vapor, an air intake assembly configured to directambient air into the vaporizer assembly, and a power supply assemblyconfigured to supply electrical power to the vaporizer assembly. The airintake assembly may at least partially define an arcuate air inlet thatextends at least partially around an outer surface of the vaporgenerator assembly. The air intake assembly may at least partiallydefine an inlet channel extending from the arcuate air inlet into aninterior of the vapor generator assembly to at least partially establishfluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizerassembly, the inlet channel extending coaxially in relation to alongitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly.

The arcuate air inlet may be at least partially defined by an arcuategap between the air intake assembly and an outer housing of the e-vapingdevice.

The e-vaping device may include an airflow conduit extending between theinlet channel of the air intake assembly and the vaporizer assembly,such that the inlet channel is configured to establish fluidcommunication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizer assemblyvia the airflow conduit. The e-vaping device may include a flow controlstructure including a plurality of orifices having different sizes. Theflow control structure may be configured to adjustably align a selectedorifice of the plurality of orifices with the airflow conduit toadjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with theairflow conduit.

The flow control structure may be an adjustment ring configured to berotated around the longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device toadjustably align the selected orifice with the airflow conduit.

The air intake assembly may include the flow control structure.

The arcuate air inlet may be an annular air inlet that extends around anentirety of the outer surface of the e-vaping device.

The inlet channel may be an annular channel.

The e-vaping device may include a vapor generator assembly. The vaporgenerator assembly may include the reservoir and the vaporizer assembly.The power supply assembly may be detachably coupled to the vaporgenerator assembly.

The power supply assembly may include a rechargeable battery.

According to some example embodiments, an e-vaping device may include areservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizerassembly configured to heat pre-vapor formulation drawn from thereservoir to form a vapor, an air intake assembly configured to directambient air into the vaporizer assembly, and a power supply assemblyconfigured to supply electrical power to the vaporizer assembly. The airintake assembly may at least partially define an annular air inlet thatextends around an entirety of an outer surface of the e-vaping device,and an inlet channel extending from the annular air inlet into aninterior of the e-vaping device to at least partially establish fluidcommunication between the annular air inlet and the vaporizer assembly.

The annular air inlet may be at least partially defined by an annulargap between the air intake assembly and an outer housing of the e-vapingdevice.

The e-vaping device may include an airflow conduit extending between theinlet channel of the air intake assembly and the vaporizer assembly,such that the inlet channel is configured to establish fluidcommunication between the annular air inlet and the vaporizer assemblyvia the airflow conduit. The e-vaping device may include a flow controlstructure including a plurality of orifices having different sizes. Theflow control structure may be configured to adjustably align a selectedorifice of the plurality of orifices with the airflow conduit toadjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with theairflow conduit.

The flow control structure may be an adjustment ring configured to berotated around a longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device to adjustablyalign the selected orifice with the airflow conduit.

The air intake assembly may include the flow control structure.

The inlet channel may extend coaxially in relation to a longitudinalaxis of the e-vaping device.

The e-vaping device may include a vapor generator assembly, the vaporgenerator assembly including the reservoir and the vaporizer assembly.The power supply assembly may be detachably coupled to the vaporgenerator assembly.

The power supply assembly may include a rechargeable battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting exampleembodiments herein may become more apparent upon review of the detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Theaccompanying drawings are merely provided for illustrative purposes andshould not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims. Theaccompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unlessexplicitly noted. For purposes of clarity, various dimensions of thedrawings may have been exaggerated.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 1A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view along line IC-IC′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 1A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view along line IC-IC′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 1A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view along line IIB-IIB′ of a portion ofthe e-vaping device of FIG. 2A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view along line IIC-IIC′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 2B according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view along line IIIB-IIIB′ of a portion ofthe e-vaping device of FIG. 3A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view along line IIIC-IIIC′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 3B according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view along line IIID-IIID′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 3B according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along line IVB-IVB′ of a portion ofthe e-vaping device of FIG. 4A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view along line IVC-IVC′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 4B according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view along line IVB-IVB′ of a portion ofthe e-vaping device of FIG. 4A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a side view of an e-vaping device according to some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a portion of the e-vaping device ofFIG. 5A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 5C is a perspective expanded view of a portion of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 5A according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view along line VD-VD′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 5A according to some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyprovided for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout the description of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “attached to,” “adjacent to,”or “covering” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connectedto, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to or covering the other elementor layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directlyconnected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, thereare no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer tolike elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations or sub-combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, regions, layers, and/or sections shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, orsection. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section discussedbelow could be termed a second element, region, layer, or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, and/or elements, etc., but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, etc., and/or groups thereof.

When the words “about” and “substantially” are used in thisspecification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended thatthe associated numerical value include a tolerance of ±10% around thestated numerical value, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofexample embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of theillustrations are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should notbe construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein butare to include deviations in shapes.

Vapor, aerosol and dispersion are used interchangeably and are meant tocover the matter generated or outputted by the devices disclosed,claimed and/or equivalents thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

Hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry suchas, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more CentralProcessing Units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or morearithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors(DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), one or more System-on-Chips (SoCs), one or moreprogrammable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one ormore Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any otherdevice or devices capable of responding to and executing instructions ina defined manner.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an e-vaping device 100 according tosome example embodiments. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along lineIB-IB′ of the e-vaping device 100 of FIG. 1A according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view along line IC-IC′ of thee-vaping device 100 of FIG. 1A according to some example embodiments.FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view along line IC-IC′ of the e-vapingdevice 100 of FIG. 1A according to some example embodiments. As usedherein, the term “e-vaping device” is inclusive of all types ofelectronic vaping devices, regardless of form, size or shape.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, the e-vaping device 100 includes a vaporgenerator assembly 110 and a power supply assembly 120. In some exampleembodiments, the vapor generator assembly 110 and power supply assembly120 include respective complementary connector assemblies 118, 128 andare configured to be detachably connected to each other based ondetachably coupling the connector assemblies 118, 128 together. In someexample embodiments, a vapor generator assembly 110 that is configuredto be detachably coupled to a power supply assembly 120 to form ane-vaping device 100 may be referred to herein as a cartridge. In someexample embodiments, the connector assemblies 118, 128 include threadedconnectors. It should be appreciated that a connector assembly 118, 128may be any type of connector, including, without limitation, a snug-fit,detent, clamp, bayonet, sliding fit, sleeve fit, alignment fit, threadedconnector, magnetic, clasp, or any other type of connection, and/orcombinations thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the vapor generator assembly 110 includes anouter housing 111 and the power supply assembly 120 includes an outerhousing 121. The outer housing 111 of the vapor generator assembly 110may define an outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly 110,and the outer housing 121 of the power supply assembly 120 may define anouter surface 121U of the power supply assembly 120. Accordingly, theouter housings 111, 121 may collectively define an outer housing 191 ofthe e-vaping device 100, and the outer surfaces 111U, 121U maycollectively define an outer surface 191U of the e-vaping device 100.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, the vapor generator assembly 110includes a reservoir 112, a vaporizer assembly 130, and an air intakeassembly 150. The vapor generator assembly 110 includes a reservoirhousing 113 that at least partially defines an outer boundary of thereservoir 112, such that the reservoir 112 may include an internal spaceof the vapor generator assembly 110 that is at least partially definedby the reservoir housing 113 and one or more internal structuralelements 114 of the vapor generator assembly 110. As further shown inFIG. 1B, the reservoir 112 may be further defined by at least theconduit 140 and vaporizer assembly 130, described further below. Thereservoir 112 may hold a pre-vapor formulation 172. For example, wherethe reservoir 112 includes an enclosure defined by at least thereservoir housing 113, the reservoir 112 may hold pre-vapor formulation172 in the enclosure.

The vaporizer assembly 130 may include an outer housing 131 that atleast partially defines an interior space 135 of the vaporizer assembly130. As further shown in at least FIG. 1B, the vaporizer assembly 130may include a fluid port 134, which extends through the outer housing131 of the vaporizer assembly 130 between the interior space 135 of thevaporizer assembly 130 and an exterior of the vaporizer assembly 130,such that the fluid port 134 may enable fluid communication betweenelements at least partially located within the interior space 135 and anexterior of the vaporizer assembly 130. As further shown in FIG. 1B, thefluid port 134 may enable fluid communication between the reservoir 112and the vaporizer assembly 130.

The vaporizer assembly 130 may include a heater 136 and a dispensinginterface 137. The dispensing interface 137 may be in fluidcommunication with the fluid port 134, such that the dispensinginterface 137 is configured to be in fluid communication with thereservoir 112 through at least the fluid port 134. Accordingly,pre-vapor formulation drawn into the interior space 135 through fluidport 134 may be drawn by the dispensing interface 137 to be in fluidcommunication with the heater 136. The heater 136 may heat pre-vaporformulation 172 drawn from the reservoir 112 through the fluid port 134to generate a vapor 176. Thus, the vaporizer assembly 130 may beconfigured to enable pre-vapor formulation 172 to be drawn from thereservoir 112 into at least a portion of the vaporizer assembly 130 andmay be further configured to heat such drawn pre-vapor formulation 172to form a vapor 176.

As further shown in FIG. 1B, the vaporizer assembly 130 may include oneor more inlet ports 132 and an outlet port 142, where the inlet port(s)132 and the outlet port 142 are in fluid communication with each otherthrough a portion of the interior space 135 of the vaporizer assembly130 that is further in fluid communication with at least the heater 136.The inlet port(s) 132 may direct air 174 into the vaporizer assembly 130to flow in fluid communication with the heater 136 and at least aportion of the dispensing interface, such that the directed air 174 mayentrain vapor 176 formed by the heater 136, and the air 174 and vapor176 may be further drawn out of the vaporizer assembly 130 via outletport 142.

As further shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the outlet port 142 may be coupled tooutlet port 144 via conduit 140, where the outlet port 144 extendsthrough the outer housing 111 of the vapor generator assembly 110 suchthat the outlet port 144 is in direct fluid communication with theambient environment that is external to the vapor generator assembly110, and the conduit 140 establishes fluid communication between outletport 142 and outlet port 144 such that outlet port 142 is in fluidcommunication with the ambient environment via conduit 140 and outletport 144. Accordingly, the vapor generator assembly 110 is configured todirect vapor 176 and air 174 that are drawn out of the vaporizerassembly 130 via outlet port 142 to be further drawn out of the vaporgenerator assembly 110, and thus out of the e-vaping device 100, viaconduit 140 and outlet port 144.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, the air intake assembly 150 isconfigured to direct air 174 into the vaporizer assembly 130 from theambient environment that is external to the vapor generator assembly110.

The air intake assembly 150 may include one or more structural elements(i.e., pieces of material, structures, or the like) 151-1 to 151-N(where N is a positive integer) which collectively at least partiallydefine one or more spaces, conduits, channels, or the like, including anarcuate air inlet 152 and an inlet channel 154, such that the air intakeassembly 150 may be understood to include the arcuate air inlet 152 andthe inlet channel 154. As shown in at least FIGS. 1A-1B, at least anouter portion of the one or more structural elements 151-1 to 151-N ofthe air intake assembly 150 that is exposed to the exterior of the vaporgenerator assembly 110 may define an outer surface 150U of the airintake assembly 150. As shown in at least FIGS. 1B-1D, at least onestructural element 151-1 to 151-N defines an outer surface 151U of theair intake assembly 150 that defines at least a portion of the arcuateair inlet 152, and the vapor generator assembly 110 may include ahousing structure 119 that is separate from the air intake assembly 150and has an outer surface 119U that defines a separate portion of thearcuate air inlet 152, such that at least the outer surface 151U of theair intake assembly 150 and the outer surface 119U of the housingstructure 119 collectively define the arcuate air inlet 152. In someexample embodiments, the housing structure 119 is a portion of thereservoir housing 113, such that reservoir housing 113 and housingstructure 119 are included in a unitary piece of material.

As further shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the air intake assembly 150, housingstructure 119, and reservoir housing 113 may collectively define theouter housing 111 of the vapor generator assembly 110, and the outersurfaces 150U, 151U, 119U, 113U of the air intake assembly 150, housingstructure 119, and reservoir housing 113 may collectively define theouter surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly 110. As shown inFIGS. 1A-1D, the arcuate air inlet 152 extends at least partially aroundthe outer surface 150U of the air intake assembly 150 and the outersurface 119U of the housing structure 119, thereby extending at leastpartially around the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly110, at least partially around the outer surface 191U of the e-vapingdevice 100, or a combination thereof.

As shown in at least FIGS. 1B-1D, at least one structural element 151-1to 151-N defines an outer surface 151U of the air intake assembly 150that defines at least a portion of the arcuate air inlet 152, and theinlet channel 154 extends from the outer surface 151U to extend from thearcuate air inlet 152 into an interior of the vapor generator assembly110 that is at least partially defined by the outer housing 111, aninterior of the e-vaping device 100 that is at least partially definedby the outer housing 191, or a combination thereof, to at leastpartially establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet152 and the vaporizer assembly 130. As shown in at least FIG. 1B, theinlet channel 154 may extend coaxially in relation to a longitudinalaxis 180. The longitudinal axis 180 may be the longitudinal axis of thevapor generator assembly 110, the power supply assembly 120, thee-vaping device 100, a sub-combination thereof, or a combinationthereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, the vapor generator assembly 110 mayinclude an airflow conduit 164 extending through the housing structure119 between the inlet channel 154 of the air intake assembly 150 and theinlet port(s) 132 of the vaporizer assembly 130. Accordingly, the inletchannel 154 may be configured to establish fluid communication betweenthe arcuate air inlet 152 and the vaporizer assembly 130 via the airflowconduit 164. As shown in FIG. 1B, the airflow conduit 164 may extend atleast partially radially in relation to the longitudinal axis 180,thereby extending orthogonal in relation to the inlet channel 154. Asshown in FIG. 1B, the airflow conduit 164 may extend through a portionof the housing structure 119, but example embodiments are not limitedthereto. In some example embodiments, airflow conduit 164 is omittedfrom the vapor generator assembly 110, such that the inlet channel 154is in direct fluid communication (e.g., without any interposingconduits) with the inlet port(s) 132.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, the power supply assembly 120 mayinclude a power supply 122. The power supply 122 may be a rechargeablebattery, and the power supply assembly 120 may be configured to supplyelectrical power from the power supply 122 to the heater 136 via one ormore electrical leads to support vapor generation at the vaporizerassembly 130.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the e-vaping device 100 may include an instance ofcontrol circuitry 124 that may be configured to control the supply ofelectrical power from the power supply 122 to the vaporizer assembly130. In the example embodiments shown in FIG. 1B, the control circuitry124 is included in the power supply assembly 120, but it will beunderstood that, in some example embodiments, the control circuitry 124may be included in the vapor generator assembly 110 instead of the powersupply assembly 120.

In some example embodiments, wherein the vapor generator assembly 110and the power supply assembly 120 are configured to be detachablycoupled via complementary connector assemblies 118 and 128,respectively, one or more electrical circuits through the vaporgenerator assembly 110 and the power supply assembly 120 may beestablished based on connector assemblies 118, 128 being coupledtogether. The established electrical circuits may include at least theheater 136, the control circuitry 124, and the power supply 122. Theelectrical circuit may include electrical leads one or both of connectorassemblies 118, 128.

The power supply 122 may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of itsvariants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Further, the powersupply 122 may be rechargeable and may include circuitry configured toallow the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device.

Upon completing the connection between the vapor generator assembly 110and the power supply assembly 120, the power supply 122 may beelectrically connected with the heater 136 by control circuitry 124based on a signal received at the control circuitry 124 from a sensor ofthe e-vaping device 100, an interface of the e-vaping device 100, or acombination thereof. To control the supply of electrical power to aheater 136, the control circuitry 124 may execute one or more instancesof computer-executable program code. The control circuitry 124 mayinclude a processor and a memory. The memory may be a computer-readablestorage medium storing computer-executable code. The control circuitry124 may be a special purpose machine configured to execute thecomputer-executable code to control the supply of electrical power tothe heater 136. Controlling the supply of electrical power to the heater136 may be referred to herein interchangeably as activating the heater136.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1D, in some example embodiments, the airintake assembly 150 is configured to at least enable fluid communicationbetween the ambient environment and the vaporizer assembly 130 whereinthe arcuate air inlet 152 is at least partially resistant toobstruction, for example by a hand of an adult vaper as a result of thee-vaping device 100 being manually manipulated by an adult vaper. Asshown in FIGS. 1A and 1C-1D and as described further below, the arcuateair inlet 152 may extend around a substantial fraction of thecircumference of the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly110, such that at least a portion of the arcuate air inlet 152 may beexposed to the ambient environment and enable fluid communicationbetween the inlet channel 154 and the ambient environment, even when anadult vaper's hand at least partially covers a portion of the outersurface 111U. In view of the air intake assembly 150 being configured todirect air 174 to the vaporizer assembly 130 with at least partialresistance to obstruction, the air intake assembly 150 may be configuredto enable improved reliability and flow rate of the supply of air 174 tothe vaporizer assembly 130 during operation of the e-vaping device 100,thereby improving performance of the e-vaping device 100 and improvingthe sensor experience provided by the e-vaping device 100.

Referring to FIGS. 1C-1D, the arcuate air inlet 152 is at leastpartially defined by an arcuate gap 210 between at least two separateinner surfaces 211-1, 211-2 that extend along an arc around thelongitudinal axis 180, where the arcuate gap 210 is further defined in adirection extending parallel to longitudinal axis 180 by the outersurface 151U of the air intake assembly 150. In FIGS. 1A-1D, one innersurface 211-1 is a radially outward-facing outer surface 119U, facingradially outward from the longitudinal axis 180 of the housing structure119. Another inner surface 211-2 is a radially inward-facing surface ofthe one or more structural elements 151-1 to 151-N of the air intakeassembly 150, such that the arcuate air inlet 152 is at least partiallydefined by an arcuate gap 210 between the air intake assembly 150 andhousing structure 119 of the vapor generator assembly 110. In someexample embodiments, for example where housing structure 119 is omittedfrom the vapor generator assembly 110, the separate inner surfaces211-1, 211-2 are separate surfaces of one or more structural elements151-1 to 151-N of the air intake assembly 150. In some exampleembodiments, the separate inner surfaces 211-1, 211-2 are separatesurfaces of a single, unitary piece of material that is included in oneor more structural elements 151-1 to 151-N of the air intake assembly150.

In some example embodiments, where the arcuate air inlet 152 is anannular air inlet that extends around an entirety of the circumferenceof the outer surface 111U, the arcuate gap 210 is an annular gap thatalso extends along a 360-degree arc around the longitudinal axis 180.

Still referring to FIGS. 1C-1D, the air intake assembly 150 may includeand/or at least partially define an arcuate air inlet 152 that extendsalong an arc that subtends an angle centered at the longitudinal axis180. As shown in FIG. 1C, the arcuate air inlet 152 may extend along anarc that subtends an angle θ₁, centered at the longitudinal axis 180,that is equal to or less than 180 degrees, such that the arcuate airinlet 152 has a length L that extends along a distance that is equal toor less than one-half of the circumference of the outer surface 111U ofthe vapor generator assembly 110. As shown in FIG. 1D, the arcuate airinlet 152 may extend along an arc that subtends an angle θ₂, centered atthe longitudinal axis 180, that is greater than 180 degrees, such thatthe arcuate air inlet 152 has a length L that extends along greater thanone-half of the circumference of the outer surface 111U of the vaporgenerator assembly 110. In some example embodiments, the arcuate airinlet 152 may be a semi-annular air inlet, or the like. As shown inFIGS. 1C-1D, air 174 may be drawn into the arcuate gap 210 of thearcuate air inlet 152 from various points around the portion of thecircumference of the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly110 through which the arcuate air inlet 152 extends, and such air 174may further be drawn through the arcuate gap 210 to the inlet channel154 to be directed to the vaporizer assembly 130. Accordingly, the airintake assembly 150 that includes the arcuate air inlet 152 and theinlet channel 154 may have improved resistance to obstruction, as air174 may be drawn into the inlet channel 154, and thus directed to thevaporizer assembly 130, from various locations around the circumferenceof the outer surface 111U.

As shown in FIG. 1A by the dashed-line extension 152X of arcuate airinlet 152, the arcuate air inlet 152 may extend around an entirety ofthe outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly 110, such thatthe arcuate air inlet 152 may be an annular air inlet.

In some example embodiments, connector assemblies 118, 128 are omittedfrom the e-vaping device 100, such that the vapor generator assembly 110and the power supply assembly 120 are fixedly coupled together and areprecluded from being detachably coupled with each other. As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, in some example embodiments, the outer housing 111 ofthe vapor generator assembly 110 and the outer housing 121 of the powersupply assembly 120 may include a unitary piece of material.

In some example embodiments, the air intake assembly 150 is included inthe power supply assembly 120, such that the outer surface 150U of theair intake assembly 150 at least partially defines the outer surface121U of the power supply assembly 120, and the arcuate air inlet 152 maybe at least partially defined by a housing of the power supply assembly120. In some example embodiments, the airflow conduit 164 extends atleast partially through one or more structures of the power supplyassembly 120.

The pre-vapor formulation is a material or combination of materials thatmay be transformed into a vapor. The reservoir 112, in some exampleembodiments, may include a storage medium that may hold the pre-vaporformulation. The dispensing interface 137 may include a wick, alsoreferred to herein as an instance of wicking material. The dispensinginterface 137 may include filaments (or threads) having a capacity todraw the pre-vapor formulation. In some example embodiments, the heater136 may include a wire coil. The wire coil may at least partiallysurround the dispensing interface 137 in the interior space 135 of thevaporizer assembly 130. The wire may be a metal wire and/or the wirecoil may extend fully or partially along the length of the dispensinginterface 137. The heater 136 may be formed of any suitable electricallyresistive materials.

In some example embodiments, one or more portions of the vapor generatorassembly 110 may be replaceable. Such one or more portions may includethe vaporizer assembly 130, the reservoir 112, the reservoir assembly102, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof. In someexample embodiments, the entire e-vaping device 100 may be disposed oncethe reservoir 112, the vaporizer assembly 130, or a combination thereofis depleted.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view along lineIIB-IIB′ of a portion of the e-vaping device of FIG. 2A according tosome example embodiments. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view along lineIIC-IIC′ of the e-vaping device of FIG. 2B according to some exampleembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the vapor generator assembly 110 may include aflow control structure 250 that is configured to adjustably control across-sectional flow area associated with the airflow conduit 164, inorder to adjustably control the amount and/or flow rate of air 174 drawninto the vaporizer assembly 130 via the air intake assembly 150 duringoperation of the e-vaping device 100, thereby providing improved controlover performance of the e-vaping device 100 and the sensor experienceprovided thereby.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the flow control structure 250 may include aninner structure 252 and an outer structure 253. The inner and outerstructures 252, 253 may be separate, coupled structural elements or maybe included in a unitary piece of material. Inner structure 252 extendsaround the longitudinal axis 180 and includes a set of one or moreorifices 260-1 to 260-N (where N is a positive integer) extendingtherethrough, and at least the inner structure 252 is configured torotate 280 around longitudinal axis 180 to adjustably align one of theorifices 260-1 to 260-N with the airflow conduit 164. Each orifice 260-1to 260-N may have a different size, and the size of one or more orifices260-1 to 260-N may be different from the size of the airflow conduit164, such that a given orifice 260-1 to 260-N, when aligned with theairflow conduit 164, may control the cross-sectional flow areaassociated with the airflow conduit 164, relative to the cross-sectionalflow area of the airflow conduit 164 independently of the one or moreorifices 260-1 to 260-N, thereby controlling the maximum flowrate of air174 into the vaporizer assembly 130 from the air intake assembly 150 viathe airflow conduit 164. Based on being configured to adjustably aligndifferent orifices 260-1 to 260-N with the airflow conduit 164, the flowcontrol structure 250 may enable adjustable control over the flowrateand/or amount of air 174 into the vaporizer assembly 130 duringoperation of the e-vaping device 100. In some example embodiments, basedon being configured to adjustably align different orifices 260-1 to260-N with the airflow conduit 164, the flow control structure 250 mayenable adjustable control over the resistance to draw (“RTD”) of thee-vaping device 100 flowrate and/or amount with regard to air 174 drawnthrough the e-vaping device 100, thereby enabling adult vaper-initiatedcontrol and/or customization of the performance of the e-vaping device100 to thereby customize and/or improve the sensory experience providedby the e-vaping device 100 with regard one or more various adult vapers.

As described herein, it will be understood that, in some exampleembodiments, a flow control structure, including the flow controlstructure 250 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, is configured to adjust at leastthe inner structure 252 to completely cover the airflow conduit 164 fromthe inlet channel.

Still referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, outer structure 253 extends around thelongitudinal axis 180 and is configured to be exposed to the exterior ofthe vapor generator assembly 110, such that at least the outer structure253 of the flow control structure 250 defines an outer surface 250U ofthe flow control structure 250. The outer surface 250U may at leastpartially define the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly110, the outer surface 191U of the e-vaping device 100, the outersurface 121U of the power supply assembly 120, a sub-combinationthereof, or a combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the inner structure 252 of the flow controlstructure 250 may be an adjustment ring structure that is configured tobe rotated 280 around the longitudinal axis 180 to adjustably align aselected orifice 260-1 to 260-N with the airflow conduit 164, and theouter structure 253, which is coupled to the inner structure 252, may beconfigured to be rotated 290 around longitudinal axis 180 from anexterior of the e-vaping device 100, e.g., by an adult vaper, so as tocause at least the coupled inner structure 252 to rotate 280 around thelongitudinal axis 180, thereby adjustably moving the orifices 260-1 to260-N in relation to the airflow conduit 164 to adjustably align one ofthe orifices 260-1 to 260-N with the airflow conduit 164. The e-vapingdevice 100 may include one or more external markings indicating whichorifice 260-1 to 260-N is aligned with the airflow conduit 164 based onthe rotated position of the flow control structure 250.

Still referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the air intake assembly 150 and the flowcontrol structure 250 may each define a separate portion of an inletchannel 254 extending from the arcuate air inlet 152 into an interior ofthe vapor generator assembly 110 to at least partially establish fluidcommunication between the arcuate air inlet 152 and the vaporizerassembly 130. As shown in FIGS. 2B-2C, for example, the air intakeassembly 150 may define a first inlet channel 254-1 extending throughone or more structural elements 151-1 to 151-N of the air intakeassembly 150, and the flow control structure 250 may at least partiallydefine an annular second inlet channel 254-2 that establishes fluidcommunication between the first inlet channel 254-1 and the airflowconduit 164 via an aligned orifice 260-1 to 260-N, where the first andsecond inlet channels 254-1, 254-2 collectively define inlet channel254.

While the above description of the flow control structure 250 isdirected to example embodiments of the flow control structure that areincluded in the vapor generator assembly 110 with the air intakeassembly 150, it will be understood that in some example embodiments,the flow control structure 250 may be included in the power supplyassembly 120, separately or together with the air intake assembly 150.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view along lineIIIB-IIIB′ of a portion of the e-vaping device of FIG. 3A according tosome example embodiments. FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view along lineIIIC-IIIC′ of the e-vaping device of FIG. 3B according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view along line IIID-IIID′ ofthe e-vaping device of FIG. 3B according to some example embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, in some example embodiments, the air intakeassembly 150 may include an arcuate air inlet 152 that is an annular airinlet that extends around an entirety of the outer surface 111U of thevapor generator assembly 110.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3B-3D, in some example embodiments, aflow control structure 310, including a plurality of orifices 260-1 to260-N having different sizes and configured to adjustably align aselected orifice 260-1 to 260-N with the airflow conduit 164 toadjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with theairflow conduit 164, may be included within the air intake assembly 150,such that the air intake assembly 150 includes one or more structuralelements 151-1 to 151-N that define the flow control structure 310. Asshown in FIGS. 3B and 3D, for example, the air intake assembly 150 mayinclude a first structural element 151-1 that defines the “adjustmentring” inner structure of the flow control structure 310, similarly tothe inner structure 252 as shown in FIG. 2C, through which one or moreorifices 260-1 to 260-N extend and which is configured to rotate 280around longitudinal axis 180 to adjustably align one of the orifices260-1 to 260-N with the airflow conduit 164. Additionally, the airintake assembly 150 may include a second structural element 151-2 thatis configured to be exposed to the exterior of the vapor generatorassembly 110 and to at least partially define the outer surface 150U ofthe air intake assembly 150, where the second structural element 151-2is coupled to the first structural element 151-1 and, similarly to theouter structure 254 as shown in FIG. 2D, is configured to be physicallymanipulated from the exterior of the e-vaping device to rotate 290around the longitudinal axis 180 to thus cause the flow controlstructure 310 to be rotated 280 to adjustably align an orifice 260-1 to260-N with the airflow conduit 164. Accordingly, the flow controlstructure 310 may be provided in the e-vaping device 100 withoutrequiring a separate element from the air intake assembly 150, therebyreducing the quantity of separate parts included in the e-vaping device100 and therefore improving fabrication efficiency and reducingcomplexity of the e-vaping device 100.

Still referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, and as particularly shown in FIGS. 3Band 3D, in some example embodiments, the air intake assembly 150 maydefine a portion of the inlet channel 254 and the outer housing 121 ofthe power supply assembly 120 may define a portion of the inlet channel254. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the second structuralelement 151-2 of the air intake assembly 150 may define a first inletchannel 254-1 extending through the second structural element 151-2 fromthe outer surface 151U, and surfaces 151-1S, 151-2S of the first andsecond structural elements 151-1 and 151-2 may partially define theannular second inlet channel 254-2 extending between the first inletchannel 254-1 and the airflow conduit 164 and orifices 260-1 to 260-N.As further shown, at least an inner surface 121S of the outer housing121 of the power supply assembly 120 may define an outer boundary of thesecond inlet channel 254-2, such that the inlet channel 254 iscollectively defined by at least the air intake assembly 150 and theouter housing 121 of the power supply assembly 120.

In the example embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the arcuate air inlet152 is at least partially defined by one or more one or more structuralelements 151-1 to 151-N of the air intake assembly 150 and at least aportion of the outer housing 119 of the of the vapor generator assembly110. In some example embodiments, the arcuate air inlet 152 is at leastpartially defined by one or more one or more structural elements 151-1to 151-N of the air intake assembly 150 and at least a portion of theouter housing 121 of the power supply assembly 120. For example, theouter housing 121 may include the beveled portion of the outer housing119, and the outer surface 151U of the air intake assembly 150, whichmay be a lower surface of the structural element 151-2, may face towardsthe outer housing 119 of the outer housing 121. Accordingly, the outersurface 151U and the beveled portion of the housing structure 119 of theouter housing 121 of the power supply assembly 120 may collectivelydefine the arcuate air inlet 152.

In the example embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the air intake assembly150 includes a single set of orifices 260-1 to 260-N, and the vaporgenerator assembly 110 includes a single airflow conduit 164 and asingle inlet port 132 to the vaporizer assembly 130. But, exampleembodiments are not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C,in some example embodiments, the vaporizer assembly 130 may include twoinlet ports 132 on opposite sides of the vaporizer assembly 130, thevapor generator assembly 110 may include two airflow conduits alignedwith separate inlet ports 132, and the air intake assembly 150 mayinclude two separate sets of orifices 260-1 to 260-N that are configuredto be adjustably aligned with separate airflow conduits 164 on oppositesides of the vaporizer assembly 130 based on rotation 280 of the innerstructure 252. In some example embodiments, the air intake assembly 150may include two separate first inlet channels 254-1 on opposite sides ofthe second structural element 151-2, such that the air intake assembly150 may draw air into opposite sides of the annular second inlet channel254-2 via the separate first inlet channels 254-2.

It will be understood that, in some example embodiments, the outerstructure 253 may be configured to be rotated 290 in a clockwisedirection and/or a counter-clockwise direction around longitudinal axis180, so as to cause at least the coupled inner structure 252 to rotate280 in a clockwise direction and/or a counter-clockwise direction aroundlongitudinal axis 180.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along lineIVB-IVB′ of a portion of the e-vaping device of FIG. 4A according tosome example embodiments. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view along lineIVC-IVC′ of the e-vaping device of FIG. 4B according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view along line IVB-IVB′ of aportion of the e-vaping device of FIG. 4A according to some exampleembodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, in some example embodiments, the air intakeassembly 150 may include one or more structural elements 151-1 to 151-Nthat define an entirety of the arcuate air inlet 152, which may be anannular air inlet as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. In addition, as shown inFIGS. 4A-4C, the air intake assembly 150 may include one or more inletchannels 454 that, rather than extending coaxially in relation to thelongitudinal axis 180, instead extend at least partially radially inrelation to the longitudinal axis 180 between the arcuate air inlet 152and the vaporizer assembly 130. As shown in FIGS. 4B-4C, for example,the one or more structural elements 151-1 to 151-N of the air intakeassembly 150 may define one or more inlet channels 454 that extendentirely radially between the arcuate air inlet 152 and the one or moreinlet ports 132 of the vaporizer assembly 130 through an interior of oneor more structural elements 151-1 to 151-N of the air intake assembly150. But, it will be understood that, in some example embodiments, theone or more inlet channels 454 may extend through the air intakeassembly 150 between the arcuate air inlet 152 and an airflow conduit164 (omitted in FIGS. 4A-4C) that extends through a housing structure119 between the one or more inlet channels 454 and one or more inletports 132 of the vaporizer assembly 130.

As shown in at least FIG. 4D, in some example embodiments, the vaporizerassembly 130 may include multiple inlet ports 132, but exampleembodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the vaporizer assembly130 may include a single inlet port 132.

Referring now to FIG. 4D, in some example embodiments, the air intakeassembly 150 may include an inlet channel 154 that is arcuate or annularin shape, defined by one or more structural elements 151-1 to 151-N ofthe air intake assembly 150, such that the top end of the inlet channel154 is open unobstructed from the arcuate air inlet 152 by one or morestructural elements 151-1 to 151-N. As further shown in FIG. 4D, in someexample embodiments, the air intake assembly 150 may include one or moreradially-extending inlet channels 560-1 to 560-N, that amount to a setof orifices that may be adjustably aligned with the airflow conduit 164of the e-vaping device 100, where the one or more structural elements151-1 to 151-N of the air intake assembly 150 may be rotated around thelongitudinal axis 180 to adjustably align a selected inlet channel ofthe inlet channels 560-1 to 560-N with the airflow conduit 164 toimplement the functionality of the flow control structure in the absenceof a separate inlet channel from the orifices of the flow controlstructure.

FIG. 5A is a side view of an e-vaping device according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a portion of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 5A according to some example embodiments. FIG. 5C is aperspective expanded view of a portion of the e-vaping device of FIG. 5Aaccording to some example embodiments. FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional viewalong line VD-VD′ of the e-vaping device of FIG. 5A according to someexample embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, an e-vaping device 100 may include an airintake assembly 150 that is detachable from a remainder of the vaporgenerator assembly 110, including at least the reservoir 112 and thevaporizer assembly 130. As further shown in at least FIGS. 5B-5D, theair intake assembly 150 may include one or more structural elements151-1 to 151-N that partially define an arcuate air inlet 152 that is anannular air inlet, define a first portion of a coaxial first inletchannel 154-1 extending from the arcuate air inlet 152, and partiallydefine a coaxial arcuate second inlet channel 154-2 between the airintake assembly 150 and an outer housing 121 of the power supplyassembly 120. As further shown, the air intake assembly 150 may includestructural elements 151-1 and 151-2, which may be coupled together ormay be included in a unitary piece of material. Structural element 151-2defines an outer structure of the air intake assembly 150 that isexposed to the exterior of the e-vaping device 100. Structural element151-1 defines an adjustment ring flow control structure 310 thatincludes multiple orifices 260-1 to 260-N extending through thestructural element 151-1. Structural element 151-2 is configured to berotated around longitudinal axis 180 to cause structural element 151-1to rotate around longitudinal axis 180 to adjustably align differentorifices 260-1 to 260-N with an airflow conduit 164 that is configuredto be in fluid communication with the inlet port 132 of the vaporizerassembly 130. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, the airflow conduit 164 mayextend radially through a portion of the power supply assembly 120, inrelation to longitudinal axis 180, such that the power supply assembly120 is configured to detachably couple with at least the vaporizerassembly 130 to cause the inlet port 132 to be aligned with the airflowconduit 164. When the inlet port 132 is aligned with the airflow conduit164, the inlet port 132 may be in fluid communication with the airflowconduit 164.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5D, when the air intake assembly 150 is coupledwith both the power supply assembly 120 and the remainder of the vaporgenerator assembly 110, the outer surface 151U of the air intakeassembly 150, which may be an upper surface of the second structuralelement 151-2, may collectively define the arcuate air inlet 152 with abeveled portion of the housing structure 119, and a surface 151-1S ofthe first structural element 151-1 of the air intake assembly 150 maycollectively define a second inlet channel 254-2 with an inner surface121S of the outer housing 121 of the power supply assembly 120, suchthat the air intake assembly 150 is configured to direct air 174 drawninto the arcuate air inlet 152 to flow through the first inlet channel254-1 that is entirely defined by second structural element 151-2 of theair intake assembly 150 to the second inlet channel 254-2 that isdefined between at least a surface 151-1S of the air intake assembly 150and an inner surface 121S of the outer housing 121 of the power supplyassembly 120.

In some example embodiments, the housing structure 119 may be a portionof the outer housing 121 of the power supply assembly 120, such that theair intake assembly 150 and the power supply assembly 120 maycollectively define the arcuate air inlet 152.

In the example embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, the air intake assembly150 includes an individual first inlet channel 254-1 and an individualset of orifices 260-1 to 260-N, where the air intake assembly isconfigured to be rotated to align separate orifices 260-1 to 260-N withan individual airflow conduit 164, but example embodiments are notlimited thereto. For example, the air intake assembly 251-1 may includetwo or more first inlet channels 254-1 that may be spaced apart aroundthe second structural element 151-2 and the first structural element151-1 may have two, separate sets of orifices 260-1 to 260-N that areconfigured to be adjustably aligned with separate airflow conduits 164of two airflow conduits 164 on opposite sides of the vaporizer assembly130 and in fluid communication with one or more inlet ports 132 of thevaporizer assembly 130.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5D, the housing structure 119 may be anintegral portion of the reservoir housing 113, such that the housingstructure 119 and reservoir housing 113 are included in a unitary pieceof material.

As further shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, the e-vaping device 100 may include anoutlet assembly 720 that may be coupled to the outlet port 144 of thevapor generator assembly 110, where the outlet assembly 720 may includea channel extending therethrough, such that the outlet assembly 720establishes fluid communication between the outlet port 144 and anexterior of the e-vaping device 100 through an interior of the outletassembly 720.

While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, itshould be understood that other variations may be possible. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would beobvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within thescope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vapor generator assembly for an e-vapingdevice, the vapor generator assembly comprising: a reservoir configuredto hold a pre-vapor formulation; a vaporizer assembly configured to heatpre-vapor formulation drawn from the reservoir to form a vapor; and anair intake assembly configured to direct ambient air into the vaporizerassembly via an inlet port of the vaporizer assembly, the air intakeassembly at least partially defining an arcuate air inlet that extendsat least partially around an outer surface of the vapor generatorassembly, an adjustment ring structure through which a plurality oforifices having different sizes extend, the adjustment ring structuresurrounding at least a portion of the vaporizer assembly, the adjustmentring structure configured to rotate around a longitudinal axis of thevaporizer assembly to adjustably align a selected orifice of theplurality of orifices with the inlet port of the vaporizer assembly toadjustably control a cross-sectional flow area of fluid communicationbetween the arcuate air inlet and the inlet port of the vaporizerassembly, and a structural element that defines a first outer surfacethat at least partially defines the arcuate air inlet, and a secondouter surface that is exposed to an exterior of the vapor generatorassembly and is configured to be physically manipulated from theexterior of the vapor generator assembly to cause the intake airassembly to rotate around the longitudinal axis, wherein an outersurface of the adjustment ring structure and an inner surface of thestructural element at least partially define an annular inlet channelbetween the arcuate air inlet and the plurality of orifices, the annularinlet channel surrounding the adjustment ring structure, and wherein theair intake assembly is configured to establish adjustable fluidcommunication between the arcuate air inlet and the inlet port of thevaporizer assembly via the annular inlet channel and the selectedorifice of the plurality of orifices.
 2. The vapor generator assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the arcuate air inlet is at least partially defined byan arcuate gap between the air intake assembly and an outer housing ofthe vapor generator assembly.
 3. The vapor generator assembly of claim1, wherein the arcuate air inlet is an annular air inlet that extendsaround an entirety of the outer surface of the vapor generator assembly.4. The vapor generator assembly of claim 1, wherein the structuralelement further defines a separate inlet channel extending from thearcuate air inlet at the first outer surface to the inner surface of thestructural element, the separate inlet channel extending paraxially inrelation to the longitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly, theouter surface of the adjustment ring structure and the inner surface ofthe structural element at least partially define the annular inletchannel between the separate inlet channel and the plurality oforifices, and the air intake assembly is configured to establish theadjustable fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and theinlet port of the vaporizer assembly via the separate inlet channel, theannular inlet channel, and the selected orifice of the plurality oforifices.
 5. An e-vaping device, comprising: the vaporizer generatorassembly of claim 4; and a power supply assembly detachably coupled tothe vaporizer generator assembly, the power supply assembly configuredto supply electrical power to the vaporizer assembly, wherein the powersupply assembly includes an outer housing, and at least one innersurface of the outer housing of the power supply assembly at leastpartially defines an outer annular boundary of the annular inletchannel, such that the annular inlet channel is at least partiallydefined within an interior of the e-vaping device by respective surfacesof the adjustment ring structure of the air intake assembly, thestructural element of the air intake assembly, and the outer housing ofthe power supply assembly.
 6. The e-vaping device of claim 5, whereinthe arcuate air inlet is at least partially defined by an arcuate gapbetween the air intake assembly and an outer housing of the e-vapingdevice.
 7. The e-vaping device of claim 5, wherein the arcuate air inletis an annular air inlet that extends around an entirety of the outersurface of the e-vaping device.
 8. The e-vaping device of claim 5,wherein the power supply assembly includes a rechargeable battery.